Lazy Wiki quote, @Darth_Algar:
”...[gold] has been a valuable and highly sought-after precious metal for coinage, jewelry, and other arts since long before the beginning of recorded history.”
It’s a dense, soft, malleable and ductile metal that doesn’t tarnish when exposed to air or water and is one of the least reactive elements.
”The value of gold is rooted in its medium rarity, easily handling, easy smelting, non-corrosiveness, distinct colour and non-reactiveness to other elements; qualities most other metals lack.”
Finally, unless we’re going to return to a pre-industrial society in my life-time, it’s increasingly important component in a number of industries, especially transportation and electronics.